Government Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Government Resources: Federal, State, and Local

Government sites can provide useful statistics related to your topic, as well as information on statistics, laws and other government approaches to an issue.

If you want to start a business or expand a business or promote a business – you need to know something about the population that you will be targeting, the state or county economic environment, and possibly competitive establishments that may already be there.

All of this information is provided by government sources.  Depending on what it is you are trying to find, some of the information you may be looking for will be provided by Federal government resources, such as the U.S. Census, other information will be provided by State agencies, such as Department of Business & Economic Development, and still other information from local agencies within the County or city.

Federal Resources

Start With...

American FactFinder Links to an external site. is a good starting point for finding statistics on many different topics including population, housing and economic data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Refer to sites listed below to supplement and add to information as needed.

• USA.gov Links to an external site.
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Links to an external site.
• Federal Citizen Information Center Links to an external site.
• Grants.gov Links to an external site.
• Guides to Government Documents Links to an external site. (UM Libraries)
• Government Information Online Links to an external site. (UM Libraries)
• U.S. Census Bureau Links to an external site.

Maryland State Resources

Start With...

Department of Business & Economic Development Links to an external site. is a good starting point for a wide range of information on how to start a business in the State of Maryland.  

Refer to sites listed below to supplement and add to information as needed.

• State of Maryland Links to an external site. (Maryland.gov)
• Department of Business & Economic Development Links to an external site.
• Maryland Quick Facts Links to an external site. (U.S. Census Bureau)
• Chesapeake Bay Links to an external site. 
• Chesapeake Bay Research Guide Links to an external site. (UM Libraries)
• Chesapeake Bay: Resources in Special Collections Links to an external site. (UM Libraries)
• Pew Center on the States: Maryland Links to an external site.
• UM's Maryland Room Links to an external site. 
• Research Guides: Maryland Links to an external site. (UM Libraries)
• Research Guides: Maryland Law Links to an external site. (UM Libraries)
• Maryland Historical Society Links to an external site.
• List of Maryland Historical Societies Links to an external site. 
• SAILOR: Maryland's Public Information Network Links to an external site. 
• Maryland Manual Online: Guide to Maryland Government Links to an external site.
• MD State Data Center Links to an external site. (Maryland Department of Planning)
• MD Statistics: Finding Aid Links to an external site. (UM Libraries)

Local Government Resources

Depending on which geographical location you are interested in obtaining data and information, refer to the sites listed below as needed.

• National Association of Counties: Maryland Links to an external site. 
• Prince Georges' County Links to an external site. 
• Montgomery County Links to an external site. 
• City of College Park Links to an external site.

Questions? 

For assistance developing your research strategies, or finding resources for your topic, or any other questions, please contact the government information specialist:

Celina Nichols (cnichol5@umd.edu)